Neligh-Oakdale and Elkhorn Valley played an exciting three-set match in triangular action hosted by Neligh-Oakdale.
After the Falcons dominated the first set, the Warriors came storming back in set two. With the score tied at 5 points apiece, Neligh-Oakdale jumped out to a 16-10 lead, but the Falcons weren’t about to roll over as they rallied back to within three points twice before the Warriors were able to put a cap on a 25-21 victory.
In the third and deciding set, both teams played each other tough. Neligh-Oakdale jumped to an early lead before the teams knotted the score at both eight and nine points. The Warriors went on a quick run to move to a two point lead at 12-10 before Elkhorn Valley fought back and tied the score at 14.
At this point, the Falcons were able to regain a lead that they would not relinquish. The set remained tight to the very end with Elkhorn Valley getting the well-earned 2522 victory and taking the match 2-1.
After three straight defeats, the victory over Neligh-Oakdale moved the Falcon’s season record to 2-3.
“I don’t feel we had any breakdowns from a physical aspect, but maybe more so on a metal aspect,” coach Emily Vaughn said. “We relaxed a bit after the first set and that is very common in volleyball.”
Vaughn told the players after that set that everybody gets a reset, no matter what.
“That’s all it took. We were a bit lucky to pull that one out, but we went back out there and got the win,” she said. “So much of volleyball is about momentum. It was great that we were able to pull out the win even when things looked a little down. We have a lot of depth this season, but subbing is hard is hard and I’ve shared that with the team. There are many different situations that may call for making a sub and everyone that played tonight contributed in some way.”
The Falcons stayed on the winning track Thursday going undefeated in triangular action against St. Mary’s and Lyons Decatur NE. Those wins move The Falcons to 4-3 on the season.
Elkhorn Valley was to play Wisner-Pilger on Tuesday.
Sept. 8
Elkhorn Valley 25 31 Stanton 16 29 Elkhorn Valley: Willow Taake 2k, 7d; Olivia Werner 5d; Ava Koch 7k, 2a, 3b, 3d; Cameron Rutjens 4k, 4a, 2b, 6d, 13sa; Savannah Nall 1b; Kinley Poulsen 3k, 1b, 5d; Ashley Schutt 5k, 3b, 5d, 7sa; Gentry Poulsen 2d. Elkhorn Valley 25 21 25 Neligh-Oakdale 9 25 22 Elkhorn Valley: Willow Taake 3k, 20d; McKenzie Daniel 1k, 6d; Joni Qualset 1b, 2sa; Olivia Werner 4k, 1a, 1b, 5d; Ava Koch 7k, 1a, 5b, 4d; Cameron Rutjens 3k, 1a, 1b, 8d, 14sa; Kinley Poulsen 3k, 1b, 5d; Ashley Schutt 5k, 5d, 4sa; Mackenzie Rautenberg-Dugan 5d; Gentry Poulsen 7d.
Sept. 10
Elkhorn Valley 25 25 St. Mary’s 19 15 Elkhorn Valley: Willow Taake 7k, 1a, 2b, 10d; Olivia Werner 5k, 2a, 13d; Ava Koch 5k, 1a, 3b, 3d; Cameron Rutjens 2k, 1b, 11d, 10sa; Kinley Poulsen 3k, 4a, 3b, 11d; Ashley Schutt 3k,2b, 12sa; Gentry Poulsen 8d.
Elkhorn Valley 25 26 Lyons-Decatur NE 14 24 Elkhorn Valley: Willow Taake 4k, 7d, 1sa; Olivia Werner 6k, 9d; Ava Koch 3k, 1b, 3d; Cameron Rutjens 1b, 7d, 18sa; Kinley Poulsen 4k, 3a, 2b, 3d; Ashley Schutt 8k, 2b, 9d, 5sa; McKenzie Daniel 2d.
